What’s On in the Outer Hebrides
There are many events taking place in the Outer Hebrides and many of these are held annually. They range from the annual rural livestock shows that are held at various locations throughout the islands to the Hebridean Celtic Music Festival that is held in Stornoway each summer to the Fisherman's mass in Barra.
The best place to find out what is going on locally, is to visit the Welcome Points and Visitor Information Hub and also local community shops.
Summer Festivals
Join the Hebridean Pride Festival in Stornoway in June which brings music and colour to the town.
The Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival also takes place at the end of June.
These inlude the Hebridean Celtic Festival, in Stornoway, Lewis which takes place mid July. Followed by the Eilean Dorcha Festival in Benbecula a week or two later - if you plan carefully you could do both!
Agricultural Shows and Highland Shows
Each district from Butt of Lewis to Barra hold an annual show in their area. These usually take place in July. Some are agricultural shows and some are Highland shows with prize breeds, wonderful baking, stalls and lots more, it is a fabulous family day out.
Races
Sport plays a significant part in island life and this is reflected in the annual half marathon, 10k road races and hill races that are run every year on several of our islands.
There is also The Heb: Race on the Edge which is a combination of cycling, kayaking and running event taking place over 2 days in Uist.
Gaelic Events
While the Gaelic culture of the island is promoted through events such as the local Mod’s and Feis and Ceolas Summer School in early July in South Uist.
On Saturday afternoons there is a Gaelic Hebridean Experience at the An Taigh Ceilidh cultural centre in Stornoway.
Halloween (Oídche Shamhna) and Hogmanay (Oidche Challain) are widely celebrated in the Outer Hebrides, with local events in most islands.
Autumn/Winter Festivals
The Hebridean Fine Food and Drink Festival is usually Stornoway in late September and in Tarbert in December.
The Hebridean International Film Festival usually takes place in September/October.
Hebridean Whisky Festival also takes place in September with a number of island distilleries participating.
Dùthchas, Galson Estate Heritage Week in North Lewis happens each September.
Usually at the end of October/beginning of November, the Faclan Book Festival, a flagship cultural event is held in An Lanntair in Stornoway and draws audiences and top-level authors and performers from all across the UK.
Nature Walks
RSPB at Balranald Reserve, North Uist do regular guided walks around Uist and RSPB Loch na Muilne Reserve in Lewis also do the same.
North Harris Trust also organise some fabulous guided nature walks from April to September - every Wednesday at 10am from Bogha Glas car park.
Each week Buth Bharraigh Rangers have a guided wildlife walk in Barra and Vatersay. Times and days varying depending on weather, but pop into Buth Bharraigh in Castlebay to book.
Craft and Market Events
During the year a number of craft and produce fairs are held at various locations throughout the islands and here you can purchase everything from hand-knitted clothing to home grown fruit and vegetables.
Regular produce markets through the summer include a Wednesday market in Grimsay and each Saturday morning in Stornoway town centre square.
Open Art Studios
Many of our artists open their studios over the summer. In Uist there is Art on the Map in June, July and August and in Lewis there is OSH (Open Studios Hebrides) on in July and Aug with a Stornoway Art walk in July.
Community Event Venues
Taigh Chearsabhagh and An Lanntair Art Centres have lots of events throughout the year.
You will also find events at the various community hubs throughout the island including An Taigh Ceilidh, Stornoway, Calanais Visitor Centre (re-opens July 2026), Grinneabhat, Bragar, Lewis, Kinloch Historical Society, Balallan, Lewis, Talla na Mara, Niseabost, Harris, Hebrides People Visitor Centre, Northton, Harris, Kildonan Museum, Kildonan, South Uist, Cnoc Soillleir, Daliburgh, South Uist and Buth Bharraigh in Castlebay, Barra.
Check out Uist Beo for events in Uist.
Check out What's On in Lewis.
